2014 TD Fellowships in Advancement

Jan 15, 2014

The Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) strives to promote professional development through external partnerships in response to the critical shortage of trained advancement professionals in Canadian universities and colleges and independent schools.

From 1987 to 1997 a program in university development, known as the McConnell Fellowships, existed to encourage the recruitment and training of development officers. The Meloche Monnex Fellowships, created in 1998, and made possible by Meloche Monnex and TD Bank Financial Group, allowed three incumbents annually, selected by the CCAE, to be trained in alumni affairs. In 2003 the scope of the Fellowships was expanded to cover educational advancement in a broader sense, allowing incumbents to gain practical experience in at least three of the major areas of advancement: alumni relations; development; communications; and student recruitment. The deadline for the 2014 Fellowships is January 15, 2014.

A TD Fellowship in Advancement is tenable at any member institution: university, college, cegep, or independent school, which is a member in good standing of CCAE and which is willing and able to assume the responsibilities of acting as a host training institution. Two Fellowships will be awarded annually, on merit, and will be allotted with due consideration given to geographic and linguistic diversity. The Fellowships may be held for a maximum of one year. Total value of each one-year Fellowship is established at $37,500. TD through CCAE will provide this amount to the selected member institution. Of this amount, $32,500 will be paid as a bursary to the Fellow. The Fellowship includes $5,000 that will be used by the institution to defray conference, travel and training costs for the Fellow. Additional funds provided to the Fellow are at the discretion of the host institution.

Candidates are required to attend two annual CCAE national conferences, at the beginning of the fellowship year and at the end of the fellowship year. The host institution is responsible for arranging for its Fellowship holder to attend these sessions and the conferences.
The host institution will ensure that the fellowship holders submit two mid-term reports and one final report to CCAE.

Conditions of EligibilityThe Candidate

The Candidate must be a Canadian citizen or a person of landed immigrant status.

At the time the Fellowship is assumed, the Candidate must have completed all requirements for a diploma or degree from an accredited Canadian university, college or cégep within the past five years, e.g., between 2009 and 2014.

The Candidate must not have held a full time, permanent position in institutional advancement prior to application (contract positions are acceptable).

The Candidate agrees to submit to CCAE two mid–term reports (November 15th and March 15th) and a final report at the completion of the program.

The Candidate agrees to attend 2 CCAE national conferences: for the presentation of the Fellowship at the beginning of the term and for a report on the fellowship at the end of the term.

The Candidate will provide all information requested on Part A of the application form.

Host Institution

The host institution agrees to host a Fellow for a twelve-month period, during which time the Fellow will rotate through at least two areas of institutional advancement (including alumni relations, development, communications, government relations, and student recruitment). These may include two specific areas within an advancement discipline – such as major gift fundraising and annual fundraising; social media programs for alumni and developing alumni events; publications creation and work with news media, etc.

The host institution agrees to develop and submit an application with a detailed program outline of the assignments to be covered in the 12–month period. This outline will clearly articulate what the institution can and will provide to the Fellow and what it expects from the Fellow. The application should also include a professional development plan, two letters of reference and budget.

The host institution agrees to appoint a senior staff member to oversee the Fellow’s training program and ensure appropriate implementation and follow–up.

The host institution agrees to maintain ongoing contact with the Chair of the TD Fellowships in Advancement Selection Committee and to report on the progress of the Fellow’s program.

The host institution will also ensure the Fellow submits two mid–term reports (Nov. 15 and March 15) and one final report (June 15) as required to CCAE.

The host institution agrees to provide the Fellow with relevant resource materials and a variety of professional development opportunities including attendance at two CCAE national conferences — one at the beginning and one at the end of the Fellowship term.

The host institution will ensure the Candidate meets all criteria, in particular with respect to eligibility to work in Canada and educational requirements.

The host institution will not submit an application for a Fellow if it has held a TD Fellow award in the year of, or the year immediately prior to, the current application.

The institution will provide all information requested on Part B of the application form.

Basis of SelectionThe Selection Committee will be looking for qualities of intellect, character, aptitude and (to a lesser extent) relevant experience in candidates. The TD Fellowships in Advancement will be awarded to candidates whose personal qualifications and experience are judged to be those best suited to work in the field of educational advancement. Strong consideration will also be given to the host institution's proposed project and training program.

ApplicationThe senior advancement professional at the host institution will be responsible for selecting one candidate to submit to the Selection Committee and for ensuring the eligibility of its chosen candidate. The following must be included in all applications:

Detailed program outline which includes the work to be covered, the professional development plan and a budget.

A cover letter from the candidate outlining his/her qualifications to become a TD Fellow, and a factual list or resume outlining principal activities, including volunteer activities, honours and awards (one page).

Two letters of reference recommending the candidate for the Fellowship.

Candidates currently in contract positions (and who have graduated in the past 5 years) are eligible for a Fellowship. Projects submitted for such candidates must show clear expansion of existing responsibilities, new projects and/or program changes. Projects submitted for a Fellowship cannot be extensions of current projects.